Meydan: United Color wins Dubawi Stakes by a neck

United Color won the featured Dubawi Stakes on Thursday at Meydan in Dubai, as the top three finishers from the 2013 Dubai Golden Shaheen all failed to show their best form.

The 5-year-old American-bred United Color, a son of Ghostzapper, took the initiative early in a slow-paced race over about six furlongs on Tapeta, ranging up to contend for the lead under James Doyle after about a quarter-mile, then holding off a rally from Russian Soul to win by a neck.

“We broke, and everyone seemed to be looking at each other,” Doyle said. “There was really no pace whatsoever. I took a chance; that’s not really his ideal running style.”

United Color, trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam, won for the 10th time in his career. Rafeej finished third, and Balmont Mast, the best-performing of the 2013 Shaheen horses, was fourth. Reynaldothewizard, who won the Golden Shaheen, had trouble and finished seventh in his first start since the Shaheen, while Krypton Factor finished sixth with no apparent excuse.